Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: imdb.com "Mischa Barton isn't the girl next door anymore."

Most of us recognize Mischa as Marissa Cooper, the troubled rich girl from the popular drama series The O.C. She was unexpectedly killed off in the third season finale; her character died in a car crash. This resulted in reduced ratings, and eventually the show's end.

Barton left the viewers wondering, what will she do next?

It has been quite the busy life for this fashion icon.

She currently has eight movies scheduled to be released over the span of two years, including Closing the Ring with Shirley MacLaine and St. Trinian's with Rupert Everett.

"I do intelligent roles. I don't want to be labeled as doing silly movies. I'm more mature than kids my age because I'm constantly surrounded by adults," Barton states. She has proved that she can be more than just Marissa Cooper and the girl who puked in 'The Sixth Sense.' She has transformed into one of the most sought after young actresses in Hollywood.

Apart from working on her many films, Barton has also done a lot of traveling and has attended multiple awards shows and fashion events.

The end of September was a busy time for her. She spoke at World Contraception Day Launch in Berlin on the 23rd. She also attended and presented at the National Movie Awards in London on Sept. 28th.

Barton was also seen at the opening party of "Boodles", a new shop in London and Milan during Fashion Week. She has become a huge style icon and has developed bonds with well-known designers.

Barton's good-looks, appeal, and icon status led her to be the face of many companies such as Neutrogena and Aeropostale.

In 2006, she was featured in Bebe's holiday ads, and she filmed the company's first commercial. Currently she is the spokesperson for Keds' "Be Cool" campaign.

Barton first signed on to the company in 2004 and the contract was originally going to last until the end of 2007. However, the company decided to extend her contract; she then became their global spokesperson. They recently decided to extend her contract further to the summer of 2008.

The 'Be Cool' ad campaign shows how both the company and Barton have evolved. The campaign is set to launch in December, according to a recent press release.

"Mischa is a leading style influencer and has been an excellent partner helping Keds reposition the brand image and product over the last three years. When we first signed Mischa, she was just on the cusp of fame, and since then has grown into a promising young actress and become known globally as a fashion trendsetter. We look forward to her continued involvement in the brand in 2008," said Shawn Neville, President of Keds Corporation.

Not only has she been a spokesperson for many big companies, but she is also involved in many organizations to help raise awareness.

Barton has been an advocate for SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone), a campaign run by the Institute of Cancer Research. She has also been promoting TRAID ( Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) in alliance with Visa Swap.

Barton has also been featured in the Got Milk? Ads and, advertisements for the children's charity Keep a Child Alive.

Barton's glamour and beauty has gotten her recognized by some major lists. Most recently, Moviefone named her one of the 25 hottest stars under 25.

Other lists she has made include: Entertainment Weekly's 'It List,' in 2003, was one People's 'Most Beautiful People" in 2004, ranked #32 in FHM magazines "100 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2006, and ranked #49 on Maxim's "Hot 100" in 2007 .

It has become quite clear that we will be seeing many great things from this beautiful young star on the rise.

According to Publicist of Jeremy Walker & Associates, a public relations firm, Barton has stepped it up a notch. "I recently watched her shoot a key dramatic scene and it occurred to me that this is not the same person we see in celebrity mags or remember from 'The O.C.,' but someone whose acting abilities are rising at the same rate as her stardom."

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